This place was busy, busy, busy, and it's only a Wednesday night! My friend and I checked in, grabbed a booth, and we both ordered the whole belly clams with the soda. The meal comes with french fries or onion rings. I ordered the french fries regular, though sweet potato fries were an option, Service was attentive, and with a smile, Our sodas arrived quickly after the order was placed. Within 10 minutes, our meals arrived! I received a generous portion of whole belly clams, but the clams were on the small side, and it seemed like there were clam strips in with the order. I wasn't ready to see so many strips. Lightly fried to a golden brown, , the batter was on point, seasoned perfectly The whole belly clams seemed like they were missing something tonight, I didn't really taste the ocean or that nice sea flavor in them. They were just OK. But whole bellies are whole bellies and I've never had a bad whole belly. So two whole belly meals with two sodas were $75 and change. I left $90 and change, including the tip. I love coming here as Sam the Clams is just a real honest place, not pretentious ore bougie. It's more blue collar hard hitting, with real good food. Thanks again, Sam the Clam's, see you soon! read more

Sam the Clam was a pleasant surprise!! The service was excellent Inside and Outside seating This was the best lobster roll I can say I had in CT!! Locally owned read more

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Lobster roll never disappoints !Atmosphere, you feel like you're in a boat which is cool and the Waitress was super nice and we liked the twist on NE chowder. We only gave 4 stars because the fish and chips were kind of bland. Also the bill was about $140 and honestly more I thought about it, it was pricey for what we good for meals. Lastly noticed a lot of older folks and glazing Trump read more

This place has half priced bottle wines on Wednesday. They have a really good chicken wrap that isn't on the menu. Sometimes the service is amazing.. one time I was ignored basically the whole time I was there. The food is good. They have tables, booths indoor and patio seating. It's dark inside and there are covered spots outside. read more

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The food is great, Service and atmosphere perfect for a fun summer seafood experience. Stuffed clams on point, not too greasy or dry, perfect! The fried clam straps and sweet potato fries as advertised. Top it off with 2 Sam Adams Summer Ales and it is time for a sail! read more

Sam the Clam's Pub & Grub - Fried clam strips and sweet potato fries. - Seafood Near Me - Plantsville, Connecticut

The seafood is great and ample. As a customer who cannot eat shellfish the wait staff is always attentive and has suggestions for a meal for me. We go for lunchtime meals on a weekday because we are seniors and we assume at nighttime this business will be hopping because of all the sports on their TVs, and regulars at the bar. The decor is like a rustic dark seafood/sportsbar. It reminds me of the VT apres ski bars/restaurants that serve good hearty food but can get a bit loud later at night. read more

Best lobster roll i have ever had! The tater kegs are pretty awesome too. Overall this place is cool. I would recommend.

New owners have really taken this place down! It's sad because it was a must go for fried seafood, especially in the summer when you can sit on the patio. But things have changed, portion sizes are much smaller, prices are much higher, and some of the bartenders have a "holier than thou" attitude. They also extremely over served what I'm assuming is a regular because he knew everyone there but he also was sloppy drunk.... and it was barely 4 PM! Happy Hour obviously started for him at about noon. He interjected in our conversation, didn't have any teeth so he spit all over the place, and was trying to be friendly but the bartenders kept serving him... and then they let him drive! I hope his next stop was 2 houses away because there's no way they shouldn't have called an Uber! read more

Six of us went there last Thursday. First, our waitress was fantastic. Blonde hair short lady. You could tell she's been doing this for quite some time. We had 3 orders of Blue Point Oysters, they were fantastic. Again, recommended by our waitress. Then 2 prime ribs,2 whole belly clams and one Taco plate. Everything was fantastic. We call out group The Tastebuds, every Thursday we go to a different place.We'll be back! read more

Have lived right down the road from here for a while and recently decided to give it a try as I've heard good things and am a seafood lover. I was pleasantly surprised by the price range of the menu and how delicious the food is! Everytime I come in I get the crab cake bites, SO GOOD! Came in tonight and had a lovely server that was very attentive to us (which is very appreciated since I was starving!) everything was great. 10/10 , will continue coming read more

Sam the Clam's Pub & Grub - Stuffed Sole - Seafood Near Me - Plantsville, Connecticut

My husband and I have been coming here for years, and I'm honestly surprised to see any negative reviews. Of course, no place is perfect all the time, but Sam the Clam is usually very consistent when it comes to both food and service. We find their prices reasonable, especially given the location. The service is friendly and genuine--not fake or overly rehearsed. They're always busy, so at times the staff can seem rushed, but they work hard and are quick to fix any mistakes. Out of the many times we've visited, I can only recall one instance where they forgot a drink order. My husband loves the fried seafood baskets, and I've tried everything from soups and salads to a variety of sandwiches--all of which have been delicious. We always leave full and never feel like we've overspent. Their alcohol selection is broad, and the patio is a great spot to relax. The decor is rustic, and if you appreciate places with character and history, you'll enjoy the atmosphere. It gives off that "Mystic Pizza" nostalgic vibe. When it's not too crowded, the bartenders are incredibly personable and take the time to get to know you. It's definitely got a blue-collar, local favorite kind of feel, and you can tell they have a strong base of regulars. I absolutely love this place and have never had a bad experience. I've been coming since 2019, and my husband's been a fan for even longer. read more

Ever since their doors opened in '92, this has been a well known spot for our family and it happens to be conveniently in my Aunt's neighborhood so when we visit and don't feel like trying to make it down to the shore, this is our spot for warm lobster rolls, whole belly clams, and happy hour. Emphasis on the happy hour. read more

Sam the Clam's Pub & Grub - The hot lobster roll and curly fries - Seafood Near Me - Plantsville, Connecticut

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Fried fish done right at the right temp and timing each item in the seafood plate are prepared separately not just thrown in one fry basket. So each item is properly fried. Very good service. Warm and friendly. Nautical themed like an old fish shack. read more

Sam the Clam's: Connecticut- This is a nice little restaurant located in Southington Connecticut. First time here I was on the lobster roll prowl. Lengthy bar with a good number of tables and booths and the staff was efficient and nice. The parking lot isn't too bad, not the largest, but there's a good amount for people to park at this establishment and of course, aquatically themed. I started off with the stuffed clams which are quahogs with their own stuffing, tasty and came out piping hot. I ordered the lobster roll to go. It's standard, hot with a side of butter. Decent but a little drier than my preferred preference. Maybe next time I can try the cold version! They have a large menu and I wouldn't mind coming back and trying something else or getting those quahogs again. read more

Sam the Clam's Pub & Grub - Lobster Roll with Fries - Seafood Near Me - Plantsville, Connecticut

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I've been enjoying their seafood since I was this tall. You can't see my hand, but I think you get it; they've been open since 1991, and I don't remember when my parents first ordered food from Sam the Clam's. They had a takeout place across the street for a little while. So, when I was visiting my hometown, I stopped by the pub for dinner, since I'm an adult now and I'm allowed to do enjoy both the pub and grub. They have an excellent beer selection (largely thanks to Twelve Percent Beer Project) in a venue that's somewhere between nautical and divey (in a good way). They have a full menu, and I'm sure the rest is great, but if I'm coming out this way, I'm getting fish or seafood. Sorry, penne alla vodka, but I can get you literally anywhere. Service was insanely fast -- even the waitress was surprised -- and I was enjoying a platter of whole fried oysters. Now that I've travelled, I can say that there is better seafood out there. But for Southington, Connecticut, this is delicious, and I'll probably stop by every time I'm in town. I'm already dreaming of a second helping. read more

Sam the Clam's Pub & Grub - Whole Fried Oysters with Curly Fries. - Seafood Near Me - Plantsville, Connecticut

Came here with my friends over the summer. We sat outside! The food was really good. The waitress was a sweetheart. Service was on the slower side but she seemed to be one of only two servers at the time. They weren't too busy, it was a beautiful day to sit outside. We had a great time, all the food that we saw pass by looked delicious. I can't wait to come back and try more stuff! read more

I stopped at this Pub and Grub one day on the way back from a meeting in Hartford. The seafood was wonderful and fresh. A friend recommended I stop on the way home from the meeting and I did. I will certainly stop again. It's a bar/pub atmosphere but very clean and nice.The staff Sara and Mandy was very nice and very welcoming. I would say stop and check them out and take pictures with the celebs. read more

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They have large portions and food is delicious. Love their whole belly clams. Service is quick and curious. Love the sea atmosphere.

Food was cooked to long and dry wasn't worth the money I will not be back the stuffed mushrooms didnt have enough stuffing and the waitress was unfriendly read more

I have been coming to Sam the Clams for years getting only the Clam Strip platter which has always been excellent ,however the past few times and with a friend whom made the same observation,the clams have been crumbly and skimpy ,still good but less of them and a notable poorer quality ,now I go home hungry and their prices aren't cheap .I heard they are under new management and ownership.They should go back to the previous owners quality standards .I am extremely disapointed right now ,and sorry I gave them three shots to see if the quality would improve ,it didn't . Not looking forward to going back anytime soon if at all until I hear of better reviews .Not the same anymore So sad to see them go downhill read more

It's a happy atmosphere . You feel like you're at the shore its a rustic feel .The salmon was done, medium rare. It came out just the way I like it. The swordfish was moist and sweet potato fries taste like they just cut them fresh . The service was very good the waitress was very nice . The prices are very reasonable . I'll definitely be back. . read more

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The food is amazing as well as the service.!! I had the seafood basket, crab cake bites, and chowder. Everything was delicious. I'll definitely be back once the renovations are complete read more

We stop in here when in the area. Nothing fancy we just enjoy the wings and diver scallop baskets which we had tonight with a couple Guinness and we were happy campers. read more

Sam the Clam's Pub & Grub - Sweet Thai chili wings - Seafood Near Me - Plantsville, Connecticut

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Great food, great service. I'll be back. They even had Rolling Rock, a rare find. read more

Service was fast , food was cooked just right ,the portions and quality have been restored, thank goodness for that , hope it continues The building was freshly painted outside, it looks good , inside was cozy and comfortable I'll be back! read more

Lots of times when I come here, the place is very loud. It does feel though that a lot of them are regulars because the staff know lots of people by name. The food is awesome here. My mom does think their lobster bisque is a little too sherry for her. She loves the shrimp though. My favorite is their calamari and their scallops. They're sweet and just a little briny. My aunt reccomends any salad with their salmon. It was perfectly cooked. read more

Sam the Clam's Pub & Grub - 1/4 pint Calamari and seafood mix basket (whole bellies) - Seafood Near Me - Plantsville, Connecticut

Food is always solid at Sam the Clam. Waitress on 10/22/25 shouldn't 't be in this business. No care from minute one. Threw the menus on the table. 2 people ordered $100 appetizer-and cocktail within 5 minutes. She also knew we were going to place 2 more orders of food. Hot appetizers and an entree.. Could've been a nice tip for her but Not This Time!! read more

I typically drive out northern CT or NH for Lobster Rolls. Hell, I've even had Lobster Rolls in Maine as well. I must say, for a 4oz roll and MP of ~$29 as of May 2023, this was a really tasty & well-filled roll. I would come again for sure when craving lobster rolls, this spot is definitely underrated for its rolls. The only feedback I have is regarding the outdoor seating, there must be a way to reduce the mosquitos/flying bugs. We had to come inside because there were too many on the table. read more

Sam the Clam's Pub & Grub - Cold Lobster Roll - Seafood Near Me - Plantsville, Connecticut

I was looking for bellies and calamari because the seafood joint in my town closed. Someone recommended this place and it didn't disappoint. We came in a Saturday around 7pm, a large group just left. The bar was full but there were seats in the "front" which we thought was the back. We ordered: Calamari - the portion was huge and love that there were tons of the tentacle part which is my fave. It is served with cocktail sauce but I asked our server to bring our marinara instead. It was cooked ok. Needed some more seasoning. It was bland to me. Really needed some sauce to dip in. Steamers. They were so juicy we ordered a 2nd one. Whole belly clam sandwich: finally I found a good place with meaty bellies! I'm so happy. I ordered onion rings with it and wish I hadn't. It was super greasy and so much breading. Dessert: limoncello cake. It was nice and not very sweet. Service was great as well. Definitely recommend. read more

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Stopped in for a late dinner and sat at the bar. We were able to relax and enjoy a nice meal. Lobster bisque and coconut shrimp were great. Definitely a local watering spot but it was a friendly atmosphere and a great place to watch a game. Our waitress was attentive and service was quick! read more

Delicious, fresh seafood this place is the best everything was so good! I definitely recommend getting the clams and broth and the clams on half shell absolutely the best I've had yet! read more

Sam the Clam's Pub & Grub - Seafood Near Me - Plantsville, Connecticut

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probably the worst fried scallops I have ever had! don't know where to start on this one... The lackluster in the breading, the avert of the scallop, the possibly of the scallop being undercooked, just not good. My other half or the fried clam strips, and all those sweets, the breading was seriously lacking. Yelp led me seriously wrong on this one. I figured I would take the scallops back home so I could put them in the air fryer to possibly make them cook a little more. I did that a few hours after I got home. And guess what? scallops tasted like ammonia! Signs that they weren't really fresh. The worst of it is this dish course $32 and I asked to take the leftovers home and I'm given a Styrofoam container. $32 dish goes in the Styrofoam container... Someone help me compute this one. I asked if they had any soup containers and the waitress said it's also Styrofoam... Are people familiar with the toxicity of Styrofoam and heat? Sam the clam was seriously a bad first date... Never ever again! read more

I've been to Sam's twice recently and loved it! They have a cute outdoor patio that's perfect for nice weather. I've tried their clam strips, stuffed clams, lobster bisque, clams casino, stuffed shrimp, and stuffed sole and I thought all of them were great. The service is friendly and the prices are reasonable for the large portions you get. This is a fantastic option for when you want a seafood shack/casual seafood dinner and do not feel like driving to the shoreline. They have a large menu and also offer nightly food and drink specials. Our waitress told us that they've been in business for 30 years or so. Clearly they know what they're doing! read more

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Dive bar vibes (which I kinda love) service was slow but not an issue honestly since the bartenders and servers are busy grinding helping a full house! Lobster rolls were DELISH! Would come back and enjoy cocktails and food! read more

We arrived at the place around dinner time, and already the place was packed as the parking was full and the outdoor dining area only had a few tables left available. There were also indoor dining available but we chose to make the best of the nice weather and sat outside. The entrance is a bit confusing, not sure if a front entrance is available but we came through the side area (confusing because the side entrance is right next to the employees only door which they prop open and hides the customer entrance). From there you can choose to dine inside or go through the patio for the outdoor experience. Once seated, we were quickly attended to, I'm not sure if there were more waitstaff available but on this Monday night I have seen only 2 waitstaff taking care of the outdoor dining area. Once we got started with drinks and our orders - the drinks came pretty promptly. Not sure if I'd recommend the pink lemonade as it tasted a little watered down for my taste. After receiving our drinks, we waited a while before our food arrived. I assume because the restaurant was full, the kitchen had many customers to attend to. Our appetizers came first, maybe 10min after our drinks - we had gotten started with the clam casinos and onion rings. Both were delicious! Make sure to order more if you are a big party to the little portions. The clam casinos are stuffed and come with bacon so watch out for those with dietary restrictions. Also we were served foam and plastic plates/utensils for these - I imagine for health and safety reasons during covid. Once we were done with our appetizers, our main entrees took a lot longer to come through - a good 10/15min or longer. By now we were hungry and couldn't wait to get started! All food came hot and fresh!and the serving size were really big, more than enough for each of us. I had gotten the hamburger with extra toppings (mushrooms and peppers, and American cheese) as it only comes tomato and lettuce if not. With this, I was able to choose the sides - a variety of fries choice (I went with curly) and some coleslaw. The meal was delicious albeit the brioche bun it came in was a little too toasted and dry, the only downside to this entree! The rest of our party enjoyed a hot lobster roll and a seafood basket! Both came with their own side choices and in big portion!! The outdoor dining experience was great except for a few things - because we were seated by the stairs leading to the entrance, we were also right next to the smokers area which was right at the bottom of the stairs, on the side of the patio. This is not ideal for those with breathing and asthmatic problems. Additionally, there were many bugs and flies and mosquitoes around this time of the year, and moreso when the food arrived and the sun set - came back home with a full stomach and a few mosquitoes bite so come prepared for this with bug spray before choosing to dine outside! Overall, waitstaff was very friendly and the food delicious. Even the coleslaw was fresh! If you want to stop by, come early for better seating experience and less wait time! This place was packed on a Monday night and I imagine a lot more on weekends or holidays! Can't wait to try the rest of the menu!! In regards to COVID procedure, I saw one hand sanitizer by the door. No one wore masks aside from ourselves as we entered the restaurant (customers and waitstaff) - in fact, it felt like it brought attention to ourselves that we were being so cautious prior to getting seated and dining. Again, proceed to dine in public settings at your own comfort and risk level read more

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Came here with a few friends, during the weekend, on a beautiful covid day. The patios were more full than inside. Upon arriving, it wasn't clear where to stand to get seated so we stood in the vicinity of another waiting patron, near the door, & had to make room for couples also coming in. There was about a 15-20min wait before the hostess came to greet everyone waiting & take us to our seat, that was directly under a big flat screen TV. While I didn't mind the brightness, it was a little uncomfortable seeing people staring in our direction lol. The waitress arrived to take our drink orders & you could tell she was extremely busy, by the short responses & eagerness to take the orders & move on to service another table. I guess the restaurant is understaffed, like many other businesses. The drinks took around 20mins to show up. Mine was made incorrectly & tasted more like juice. I drank it & stuck with water the rest of the time. We put in a few app orders. Which were pretty tasty. The food was hot & came out at the same time. I purchased the lobster stuffed mushrooms. I wasn't disappointed, I could taste the lobster here & there. We also had the seafood nachos, which were amazing. There was an abundance of seafood & cheese throughout. The salmon patties weren't all that exciting. However, the sauce did compliment very well. As for the main dish, I tried the whole belly clam roll...As far as taste, I wouldn't get it again. However, the amount of clams is above generous. It was mountain of fried clams! I requested curly fries, but received regular. I didn't bother making a fuss since they were clearly busy. Back to the clams...At times, I was simply eating it out the bread. Although, without tarter or cocktail sauce, the roll is ridiculously dry. I think I ate more fries than clams. But I could just be a fries finatic. I can't comment on my friend's entrees, but they both seemed pleased & we all had leftovers. I absolutely love seafood & I'm not in a rush to return here, but I will visit this restaurant again to try some other plates. I'd definitely try to come during off peak hours, if that's possible. This place seems pretty popular. As far as cleanliness, I didn't visit the restroom. The efforts I saw were to space people out, have dividers at the bar & booths, wipe the tables & have sanitizer on the way out. read more

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Dad and I go there often and it's always GREAT THX and keep up the good work And they have Drambuie for my 89 yr old Dad's Rusty Nail cocktail read more

We'll we have been frequently this establishment for some time now. The building reminds me of a boat. It's comfortable, clean, and tons of food. The waitresses/bartenders are always ready to serve you. The cooks are pretty friendly and their work ethic is amazing. The food they put out always looks appetizing. I love the fried whole belly clams. They're sweet, tender and fried in a light batter. Our favorite appetizer is the clams casinos, the bacon is crispy (always should be) heck yeah!!!! I can't say enough good things about this place. Try for yourself, put some tunes on and enjoy the comfortable atmosphere with a whole lot of real nice people!!! Oh yeah and did I tell ya, the outside deck on a sunny hot day blows your mind. If you close your eyes and think for a minute, you'll ask yourself, "Am I at a resort in Bermuda?" It's that good. So folks, check out Sam the clams in Southington, Ct.! No disappointments here!!! read more

Love this place! Very good service and a great seafood menu if you're eating that. I'm plant based for a few months to try that type of eating for a bit and there was almost nothing to choose from, so if you have vegetarians with you I might skip it. If you're eating fish, however, this is a great place! read more

I love this place and come everytime I'm in CT. Seafood is the best, lots of options and various cooking methods. Fried? Baked? Raw? It's all here. Los of locals come so you know it's delicious. Aks for "momma" as your wait person. I promised her some $$$ if I won the lottery (which I didn't win) but she it the best in the house read more